Stolen Mercedes leads to pursuit, arrest

A short police pursuit involving two men suspected of stealing a Mercedes-Benz ended when the driver crashed near Pacific Highway Tuesday afternoon, San Diego police said.

The men took the 1983 Mercedes parked on Preece Street, near Osler Street, in Linda Vista when the keys were left inside the car, police Lt. Kevin Mayer said. The owner witnessed the theft and called police at 2:06 p.m., Mayer said.

Police spotted the stolen car going south on Interstate 5 about 2:10 p.m., triggering a brief freeway pursuit when the driver refused to yield, Mayer said. Police chased the driver, who then crashed into a concrete curb at Hancock and Witherby streets.

Police arrested the driver and are investigating where the other man involved in the theft went.

The car was not damaged during the crash and was returned to its owner, he said.